Excavator with Expanded Work Implement Compatibility

ABSTRACT

An excavator has an undercarriage assembly and a turret assembly rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly has an undercarriage implement support that may pivot about a lift axis. An undercarriage coupler is coupled to the undercarriage support and includes an undercarriage coupler interface that is configure to operably engage an undercarriage implement interface provide on an undercarriage implement. The turret assembly also carries a turret implement, and therefore the excavator may simultaneously employ both the undercarriage implement and the turret implement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to machines used in workapplications, and more particularly to apparatus and methods forconnecting work implements to excavators.

BACKGROUND

Different types of work implements are known for use with machines, suchas skid steer loaders and mini excavators. In general, the workimplement is particularly suited for use with a given type of machine.For example, a mini excavator implement is configured for attachment tothe boom of a mini excavator, while a skid steer loader implement isconfigured for attachment to a skid steer loader. Historically, the workimplements used on skid steer loaders were not capable for use on miniexcavators due to different mounting requirements. Consequently, bothtypes of equipment were often transported to a work site where both amini excavator and skid steer work implement were required.Alternatively, operators were forced to purchase two sets of attachmentsfor a particular task when it would be desirable to transport only themini excavator.

More recently, an adapter for mounting skid steer loader attachmentsonto an excavator arm has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,158 toEckstein et al. The adapter of the '158 patent is configured to attachto the stick or arm of the excavator, and therefore would be used inplace of a bucket that typically would be attached to the end of theexcavator arm. Thus, while the adapter of the '158 patent facilitatesthe use of work implements having standardized skid steer loadermounting configurations to be used on the arm of a mini excavator, itdoes so at the expense of normal excavator operation by requiring thebucket to be removed. Additionally, the adapter of the '158 patent onlypermits the use of one attachment at a time, thereby limiting thefunctionality of the mini excavator.

Mini excavators typically include a blade mounted to the undercarriageor undercarriage that may be used for backfilling, grading, or otherpurposes. In some known designs, a lift cylinder may be attached betweenthe undercarriage and a support holding the blade that may be operatedto raise or lower the blade. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,796 to Bowers et al.proposes to provide a carrier attachment configured to mount onto theexisting blade structure. Thus, the carrier of the '796 patent must becustomized for the particular configuration of the blade provided on theexcavator.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an excavator isprovided for use with an undercarriage implement having an undercarriageimplement interface and a turret implement. The excavator may include anundercarriage assembly having an undercarriage frame, a ground-engagingmember coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implementsupport pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, and a liftactuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and theundercarriage implement support and configured to pivot theundercarriage implement support about a lift axis. An undercarriagecoupler may be operably coupled to the undercarriage implement supportand may include an undercarriage coupler interface configured tooperably engage the undercarriage implement interface. The excavator mayfurther include a turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assemblyand rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turretaxis, and may include a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to theturret frame, and a stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configuredto operably engage the turret implement.

In another aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with any ofthese aspects, an excavator is provided for use with a continuouslypowered undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implementinterface and a turret implement. The excavator may include anundercarriage assembly having, an undercarriage frame, a ground-engagingmember coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implementsupport pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, and a liftactuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and theundercarriage implement support and configured to pivot theundercarriage implement support about a lift axis. An undercarriagecoupler may be operably coupled to the undercarriage implement supportand may include an undercarriage coupler interface configured tooperably engage the undercarriage implement interface, and anundercarriage implement power source may be provided that includes anundercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent theundercarriage coupler. The excavator may further include a turretassembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative tothe undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assemblyincluding a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame,and a stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operablyengage the turret implement.

In another aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with any ofthese aspects, an excavator and implement kit is provided including aplurality of undercarriage implements, each undercarriage implementhaving a standardized implement interface. An excavator may include anundercarriage assembly having an undercarriage frame, a ground-engagingmember coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implementsupport pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, a lift actuatoroperably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriageimplement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implementsupport about a lift axis, and an undercarriage coupler operably coupledto the undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriagecoupler interface configured to operably engage the standardizedimplement interface. The excavator may further include a turret assemblycoupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to theundercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assemblyincluding a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame,a stick pivotably coupled to the boom, and a turret implementoperatively coupled to the stick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mini excavator constructedaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the mini excavator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top perspective view of the excavator of FIG. 1with a turret assembly removed to better show an undercarriage assembly.

FIG. 4 is an isometric front view of an undercarriage coupler providedon the mini excavator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric rear view of an undercarriage implement having animplement interface.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, in cross-section, of an undercarriageimplement attached to the undercarriage coupler of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary machine in the form of anexcavator 10 having multiple systems and components that cooperate toaccomplish a task. The machine may embody a fixed or mobile machine thatperforms some type of operation associated with an industry such asmining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industryknown in the art. For example, the machine may be an earth movingmachine such as a mini excavator (as shown), a backhoe, a track-typetractor, a loader, a motor grader, or any other earth moving machine.The excavator 10 may include an implement system 12 configured to moveone or more implements, a drive system 14 for propelling ground engagingmembers 16, a power source 18 (FIG. 1) that provides power to implementsystem 12 and drive system 14, and an operator station 20 for operatorcontrol of implement system 12 and drive system 14.

The power source 18 may embody an engine such as, for example, a dieselengine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine or any othertype of combustion engine known in the art. It is contemplated that thepower source 18 may alternatively embody a non-combustion source ofpower such as a fuel cell, a power storage device, or another sourceknown in the art. The power source 18 may produce a mechanical orelectrical power output that is provided directly to the implementsystem 12 and the drive system 14, or the output of the power source 18may be converted to hydraulic power for moving the implement system 12and the drive system 14.

An undercarriage assembly 22 may form a lower portion of the excavator10. As best shown in FIG. 3, the undercarriage assembly 22 may includean undercarriage frame 24 extending between the ground engaging members16. An undercarriage implement support 26 may be pivotably coupled tothe undercarriage frame 24. In the illustrated embodiment, theundercarriage frame 24 may include a pair of brackets 27 having axles 30defining a lift axis 31. The undercarriage implement support 26 may havea pair of legs 28 with first ends 32 pivotably coupled to the axles 30.Second ends 33 of the legs 28 are joined by a transverse support 34. Alift actuator 36 may extend between the undercarriage frame 24 and thetransverse support 34 that may be actuated to pivot the undercarriageimplement support 26 about the lift axis, thereby raising or loweringthe undercarriage implement support 26.

An undercarriage coupler 40 may be operably coupled to the undercarriageimplement support 26 to facilitate attachment of work implements to theundercarriage implement support 26. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, theundercarriage coupler 40 may include a front plate 42. Associated pairsof outer side walls 44, intermediate side walls 46, and inner side walls48 extend rearward from the front plate 42. The outer side walls 44 andintermediate side walls 46 may be formed with lower apertures that arealigned to receive a tilt axle 50 which defines a tilt axis 52 aboutwhich the undercarriage coupler 40 may pivot. Channels 54 projectingfrom opposite ends of the transverse support 34 define additionalapertures configured to receive the tilt axle 50, thereby to pivotablycouple the undercarriage coupler 40 to the undercarriage implementsupport 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the tilt axle 50 extendstransversely across the undercarriage assembly 22, and may besubstantially parallel to the lift axis 31. The intermediate side walls46 and inner side walls 48 may be formed with upper apertures that arealigned. A pair of tilt actuators 56 may be operably coupled between thelegs 28 of the undercarriage implement support 26 and upper axles 58extending through the upper apertures, so that actuation of the tiltactuators 56 pivots the undercarriage coupler 40 relative to theundercarriage implement support 26 about the tilt axis 52, thereby toadjust the angle at which the undercarriage coupler 40 is positioned.The tilt actuators 56 may be operably coupled to the power source 18 foroperation.

A turret assembly 60 may form an upper portion of the excavator 10 thatis rotatably coupled to the undercarriage assembly 22. For example, theundercarriage frame 24 may include a swivel joint 62 (FIG. 3) on which aturret frame 64 may be supported, so that the turret assembly may rotaterelative to the undercarriage assembly 22 about a turret axis 65. Theturret axis 65 may be substantially coaxial with a center point 67 ofthe swivel joint 62 and substantially perpendicular to both the liftaxis 31 and the tilt axis 52. A swing motor 63 may be operably coupledto the power source 18 and may be configured to provide a swing forcefor rotating the turret assembly 60 relative to the undercarriageassembly 22.

The turret frame 64 may support the operator station 20. A boom 66 maybe pivotably coupled to the turret frame 64 and actuated by a boomactuator 68, such as a double-acting, hydraulic cylinder, extendingbetween the turret frame 64 and the boom 66. A stick 70 may be pivotablycoupled to the boom 66 and actuated by a stick actuator 72, which mayalso be a double-acting, hydraulic cylinder, operatively connectedbetween the boom 66 and the stick 70. Still further, a turret implement74, such as a bucket as shown in FIG. 1, may be operably coupled to thestick 70. A turret implement actuator 76 may be operatively connectedbetween the stick 70 and the turret implement 74 to pivot the turretimplement 74 relative to the stick 70.

In addition to the turret implement 74 provided on the turret assembly60, the excavator 10 may further include an undercarriage implement 80(FIG. 1) provided with the undercarriage assembly 22. In the illustratedembodiment, the undercarriage implement 80 is shown in the form of atrencher, however any known type of implement may be used. Theundercarriage implement 80 generally includes a work implement end 82configured to perform one or more tasks and an undercarriage implementinterface 84 configured to engage a component on the excavator 10. Theundercarriage implement interface 84 may include a recess 86 having aspecific configuration.

The undercarriage implement interface 84 may have a standardizedconfiguration. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,the undercarriage implement interface 84 is configured to comply withISO 24410, which provides a standardized interface for implements usedon skid steer loaders. Accordingly, an upper edge 88 of the recess 86has a dovetail shape, while two pockets 90 are formed in a bottom edge92 of the recess 86. An engagement surface 87 defines a boundary of therecess 86, and may be substantially planar. The orientation of the upperedge 88 and pockets 90, as well as the overall height and width of therecess 86 and the configuration of the engagement surface 87, may all beselected to meet the ISO 24410 standards, which define maximumdimensions for components used to engage with the undercarriageimplement interface 84. While the skid steer loader configuration forthe undercarriage implement interface 84 is shown and described, it willbe appreciated that other pre-existing, standardized configurations,such as a compact wheel loader implement configuration, may be used.Still further, the undercarriage implement interface 84 may have acustom configuration that does not match any pre-existing configurationsbut is nevertheless standardized in the sense that it conforms to anewly developed configuration.

The undercarriage coupler 40 may be configured to operatively engage theundercarriage implement interface 84. More specifically, theundercarriage coupler 40 may provide an undercarriage coupler interface94 configured to securely engage the recess 86 of the undercarriageimplement interface 84. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, theundercarriage coupler interface 94 may include wedge pieces 96 coupledto the upper edge of the front plate 42. The wedge pieces 96 areoriented relative to a front surface 98 of the front plate 42 to formsurfaces that are complementary to portions of the recess upper edge 88(FIG. 6). The undercarriage coupler interface 94 may further include thefront surface 98 of the front plate 42 having a maximum height H and amaximum width W that fit within the height and width of the recess 86.The front surface 98 may also be substantially planar to closely fitwith the engagement surface 87 of the undercarriage implement interface84.

To couple the undercarriage implement 80 to the excavator 10, theundercarriage coupler 40 may be placed in an orientation where the wedgepieces 96 of the undercarriage coupler interface 94 can be inserted intothe recess upper edge 88 of the undercarriage implement interface 84.The undercarriage coupler 40 may then be raised, tilted, or otherwisemanipulated until the front surface 98 of the front plate 42 engages theengagement surface 87 of the undercarriage implement interface 84 asshown in FIG. 6, thereby coupling the undercarriage coupler 40 to theundercarriage implement 80. As a result, the undercarriage couplerinterface 94 permits the undercarriage coupler 40 to quickly and easilyengage with and disengage from the undercarriage implement interface 84of the undercarriage implement 80.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The provision of a standard implement interface, such as a standardinterface used for skid steer loader attachments, on a mini excavator ata location where a backfill blade is typically provided, significantlyexpands the utility and functionality of the mini excavator.

When the undercarriage coupler interface 94 has a configuration that iscompatible with a pre-existing, standardized implement interface, theexcavator 10 may be used with a variety of existing implements withoutnecessitating a customized adapter. For example, when the undercarriagecoupler interface 94 is compatible with a skid steer loader implementinterface as defined by ISO 24410, the undercarriage coupler 40 may beattached to any one of several existing skid steer loader implements orattachments. Alternatively, the undercarriage coupler interface 94 mayhave a configuration that is compatible with implements having alater-developed, standardized implement interface. In either event,because the undercarriage coupler 40 is associated with theundercarriage assembly 22, the excavator 10 may use these standardimplements without requiring the bucket or other turret implement to bereplaced.

Depending on the work to be completed, the turret assembly 60 may berotated relative to the undercarriage assembly 22 so that the turretimplement 74 is positioned on the same side of the excavator 10 as theundercarriage implement 80, as shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the turret implement 74 is a bucket while the undercarriageimplement 80 is a trencher. Alternatively, the turret assembly 60 may berotated relative to the undercarriage assembly 22 so that the turretimplement 74 is positioned on an opposite side of the excavator 10 asthe undercarriage implement 80, as shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the turret implement 74 is an auger while the undercarriageimplement 80 is a bucket.

The excavator 10 may further be configured to permit the use ofcontinuously powered undercarriage implements. As shown in FIG. 3, forexample, a line 100 may have an undercarriage implement power interface102 positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler 40. The line 100 maybe operably coupled to the power source 18. The undercarriage implementmay require a continuous power supply to operate a brush, ripper,hammer, or other work implement. Accordingly, the undercarriageimplement may include a supply line that may be attached to theundercarriage implement power interface 102 to provide the necessarypower to the undercarriage implement. In some embodiments, thecontinuously powered undercarriage implement comprises a continuoushydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which case the power source18 comprises a hydraulic power source.

In addition to the undercarriage implement, the turret implement mayalso require a continuous power source. Accordingly, power source 18 maybe coupled to the turret implement, such as by a turret implement powerinterface 104 (FIG. 1), to provide the necessary power to operate theturret implement.

Accordingly, various types of known implements may be used as theundercarriage implement and as the turret implement. Compatibleimplements may include any device used to perform a particular task suchas, for example, a drill, a bucket, an auger, a blade, a shovel, aripper, a broom, a snow blower, a cutting device, a grasping device, orany other task-performing device known in the art.

Furthermore, the ability to use, simultaneously or sequentially, twoimplements attached to the same excavator 10 enables the use ofimplement combinations that are cooperatively related. As used herein,the term “cooperatively related” is intended to describe work implementsthat perform tasks related to one or more steps of a particular process.Accordingly, the undercarriage implement may be a bucket used to carryitems and the turret implement may be a grasping device used to graspand place the items in desired locations. Alternatively, theundercarriage implement may be a bucket for receiving debris and theturret implement may be a rotating brush used to sweep debris into thebucket. Still further, the undercarriage implement may be a concrete sawand the turret implement may be a drill used to break up concrete. Inyet another embodiment, the undercarriage implement may be a trencherand the turret implement may be a blade used to backfill the trench. Asanother example, the undercarriage implement may be a fork configured tocarry pallets and the turret implement may be a grasping device used tograsp and place the pallets in desired locations. These and otherimplement combinations are now capable of being provided on a singleexcavator, thereby expanding the utility and functionality of theexcavator.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplatedthat other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail fromthe foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examplesthereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussedat that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to thescope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. An excavator for use with an undercarriageimplement having an undercarriage implement interface and a turretimplement, the excavator comprising: an undercarriage assembly having:an undercarriage frame; a ground-engaging member coupled to theundercarriage frame; an undercarriage implement support pivotablycoupled to the undercarriage frame; a lift actuator operably coupledbetween the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement supportand configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a liftaxis; and an undercarriage coupler operably coupled to the undercarriageimplement support and including an undercarriage coupler interfaceconfigured to operably engage the undercarriage implement interface; aturret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatablerelative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turretassembly including: a turret frame; a boom pivotably coupled to theturret frame; and a stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configuredto operably engage the turret implement.
 2. The excavator of claim 1, inwhich the undercarriage implement interface comprises a skid steerloader implement interface.
 3. The excavator of claim 1, furthercomprising a tilt actuator operably coupled between the undercarriageimplement support and the undercarriage coupler and configured to pivotthe undercarriage coupler about an implement tilt axis extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the turret axis.
 4. The excavator ofclaim 1, in which the undercarriage implement comprises a continuouslypowered undercarriage implement, and in which the excavator furthercomprises an undercarriage implement power source including anundercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent theundercarriage coupler.
 5. The excavator of claim 4, in which thecontinuously powered undercarriage implement comprises a continuoushydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which the undercarriageimplement power source comprises a hydraulic power source, and in whichthe turret implement comprises a continuously powered turret implementoperably coupled to a turret implement power source.
 6. The excavator ofclaim 1, in which: the undercarriage implement interface includes arecess including a recess upper edge and an engagement surface defininga portion of the recess; and the undercarriage coupler interfaceincludes: a front plate defining a front plate surface that iscomplementary to the engagement surface of the undercarriage implementinterface, the front plate surface having a height and width sized forinsertion into the recess of the undercarriage implement interface; anda wedge piece coupled to an upper edge of the front plate and orientedto be complementary to the recess upper edge.
 7. The excavator of claim1, in which the turret implement and the undercarriage implement arecooperatively related.
 8. An excavator for use with a continuouslypowered undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implementinterface and a turret implement, the excavator comprising: anundercarriage assembly having: an undercarriage frame; a ground-engagingmember coupled to the undercarriage frame; an undercarriage implementsupport pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame; a lift actuatoroperably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriageimplement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implementsupport about a lift axis; an undercarriage coupler operably coupled tothe undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriagecoupler interface configured to operably engage the undercarriageimplement interface; and an undercarriage implement power sourceincluding an undercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacentthe undercarriage coupler; and a turret assembly coupled to theundercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriageassembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including: a turretframe; a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame; and a stickpivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operably engage theturret implement.
 9. The excavator of claim 8, in which the turretimplement comprises a continuously powered turret implement, theexcavator further comprising a turret implement power source operablycoupled to the continuously powered turret implement.
 10. The excavatorof claim 8, in which the continuously powered undercarriage implementcomprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in whichthe undercarriage implement power source comprises a hydraulic powersource, and in which the turret implement comprises a continuouslypowered turret implement operably coupled to a turret implement powersource.
 11. The excavator of claim 8, in which: the undercarriageimplement interface includes a recess including a recess upper edge andan engagement surface defining a portion of the recess; and theundercarriage coupler interface includes: a front plate defining a frontplate surface that is complementary to the engagement surface of theundercarriage implement interface, the front plate surface having aheight and width sized for insertion into the recess of theundercarriage implement interface; and a wedge piece coupled to an upperedge of the front plate and oriented to be complementary to the recessupper edge.
 12. The excavator of claim 8, in which the undercarriageimplement interface comprises the standardized implement interface, andin which undercarriage coupler interface is configured to operablyengage the standardized implement interface.
 13. The excavator of claim8, further comprising a tilt actuator operably coupled between theundercarriage implement support and the undercarriage coupler andconfigured to pivot the undercarriage coupler about an implement tiltaxis extending substantially perpendicular to the turret axis.
 14. Theexcavator of claim 8, in which the turret implement and theundercarriage implement are cooperatively related.
 15. An excavator andimplement kit, comprising: a plurality of undercarriage implements, eachundercarriage implement having a standardized implement interface; anexcavator including: an undercarriage assembly having an undercarriageframe, a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame, anundercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriageframe, a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frameand the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot theundercarriage implement support about a lift axis, and an undercarriagecoupler operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support andincluding an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operablyengage the standardized implement interface; and a turret assemblycoupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to theundercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assemblyincluding a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame,a stick pivotably coupled to the boom, and a turret implementoperatively coupled to the stick.
 16. The excavator and implement kit ofclaim 15, in which the standardized implement interface comprises a skidsteer loader implement interface.
 17. The excavator and implement kit ofclaim 15, in which the excavator further comprises a tilt actuatoroperably coupled between the undercarriage implement support and theundercarriage coupler and configured to pivot the undercarriage couplerabout an implement tilt axis extending substantially perpendicular tothe turret axis.
 18. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, inwhich each of the plurality of undercarriage implements comprises acontinuously powered undercarriage implement, and in which the excavatorfurther comprises an undercarriage implement power source including anundercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent theundercarriage coupler.
 19. The excavator and implement kit of claim 18,in which each of the continuously powered undercarriage implementscomprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in whichthe undercarriage implement power source comprises a hydraulic powersource, and in which the turret implement comprises a continuouslypowered turret implement operably coupled to a turret implement powersource.
 20. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, in which: thestandardized implement interface includes a recess including a recessupper edge and an engagement surface defining a portion of the recess;and the undercarriage coupler interface includes: a front plate defininga front plate surface that is complementary to the engagement surface ofthe standardized implement interface, the front plate surface having aheight and width sized for insertion into the recess of the standardizedimplement interface; and a wedge piece coupled to an upper edge of thefront plate and oriented to be complementary to the recess upper edge.